Follow the action from Zarephath, N.J. | id2 Fact Sheet

ZAREPHATH, N.J. (Oct. 1, 2009) – The first 2009 id2 Regional Training Camp for boys born in 1996-97 and girls born in 1995-96 has kicked off at the PDA Soccer Complex in Zarephath, N.J.

In addition to the Oct. 1-4 camp in New Jersey, Regional Training Camps will be held Nov. 12-15 (boys and girls) at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas, and Dec. 10-13 (boys) at Reach 11 Sports Complex in Phoenix, Ariz.

Attended by USSF National Team staff, Regional Training Camps are part of US Club Soccer’s id2 national player identification and development program, providing an opportunity for the country’s top youth talent to be identified and developed for inclusion in U.S. Soccer’s National Team programs.

“This year’s id2 Regional Training Camps promise to be the best to date,” said Gerry McKeown, US Club Soccer’s id2 Boys’ Program Director and also an assistant coach with the U.S. U-15 Boys’ National Team. “Based on the players recommended, we expect a highly-competitive group. We should have some very difficult decisions to make while selecting the id2 team that will travel to the Netherlands and Germany in February.”

The trip to Europe will comprise a team of the best 18 boys’ players from this fall’s id2 Regional Training Camps, where they will experience the day-to-day culture of some of the world’s most well-known professional clubs while also improving themselves via high-level training and game competition.

Led by McKeown and id2 Girls’ Program Director Rory Dames, nine staff coaches will run training and game sessions. USSF National Team staff, including U-14 Girls’ National Development Program head coach Mike Dickey, U-15 Boys’ National Team head coach Jim Barlow and U-14 Boys’ National Team head coach Manny Schellscheidt, will be in attendance at the Zarephath, N.J., Regional Training Camp to scout, coach and speak with the players.

“We’re very excited to have the likes of Mike Dickey and David Rubinson from the U.S. Soccer National Team staff here at the Regional Training Camps to get a first-hand look at the players we’ve identified to help further along the development of the U.S. National Team program,” said Dames. “I feel very good about the caliber of players that we’ve been able to not only identify, but bring into the camps this year. The 2009 camps should build upon last year’s success.”

Aided by their time at US Club Soccer’s id2 Regional Training Camps, numerous boys’ and girls’ attendees of the camps have advanced into U.S. Soccer’s National Team programs.

A typical daily schedule for each id2 camp places players on the training field for one or two sessions each day, with down time being utilized for guest speakers and clinicians. Included in the guests that will present in New Jersey is legendary Duke University men’s soccer coach John Rennie, who is also a member of US Club Soccer’s Board of Directors.

Additional well-known and highly-regarded individuals will attend, speak and/or participate at the New Jersey camp as well as the events in Texas and Arizona. Further information on these guests will be provided on the id2 Web page as it becomes available.

About id2:  [id2 fact sheet]
id2 Regional Training Camps are invitation-only events that bring together the nation’s top boys’ and girls’ youth players for four days of competition, evaluation and fun. Players are invited to participate as a result of an extensive year-long recommendation and scouting program.

Players are identified as they compete in their own training and game environment with their club team. In addition, the only cost to players involved in id2 is that of travel to the venue. Lodging, meals and a comprehensive training kit are provided by US Club Soccer and Nike.

Those interested are able to follow along with each id2 Regional Training Camp on the id2 Web page, as pictures, features, a blog and highlights will be added on a daily basis at each event:  Zarephath, N.J., RTC Online HQ [link].

About US Club Soccer:
US Club Soccer is a non-profit organization whose mission is to develop competitive club soccer in the United States. A member of the United States Soccer Federation since July 2001, US Club Soccer has grown to include member clubs and leagues in 49 states. In addition to sanctioning and administering tournaments, leagues and other competitions as well as offering a range of programs for its members, US Club Soccer annually conducts the National Cup and the National Collegiate Showcase. US Club Soccer also directs its own player identification and development program – id2.

# # #